Brits 'fearful of eye examinations'

An eye expert has suggested that Britons are avoiding having regular eye examinations because they are afraid of what might be revealed.

Giles Butler from the Federation of Ophthalmic and Dispensing Opticians said that there are "a number of reasons" why people put off a visit to the opticians, but a "fear that it might be painful" was one.

Mr Butler's comments follow research from the organisers of National Eye Health Week which found that 18 per cent of Brits have not had an eye examination in the past five years.

The study also revealed that 40 per cent of people had not had a check-up because they had not had any symptoms which they believed warranted investigation.

Mr Butler added: "I think the main one is that people think unless they feel they have a problem, they don't need to bother.

"But a sight test can also detect other defects without you showing any symptoms."